Plate-bending machine.



N. 796,945., PATBNTED AUG. 8, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. W. SUMMERS. PLATE BENDING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1903 lE-l1111111111111111111 Ilm : g l 1 l 1 1 1 I 1 i 1 1 1 l I 1 l 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 l l l 1 1 2 1 ,I 1 1 I 1 g 1 l' 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 A I 1 e H 11 1 l l l l l mvE'n-ron f @Q /cm. my,...

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E. W. SUMMERS. PLATE BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNI: 22,1903.

INVENTOR ANDREW. l!A Gamm co, PHoYo-Llwaewwuzus, wAswNcmN. DA c No. 796,945, PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905.

E. W. SUMMERS. PLATE BENDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 22. 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSE INVENTR fax/Gau! *al da munzw. a GRAHAM nu., Pnoo-Llwunmvnsws. wnsmncron. D c.

EDGAR W. SUMMERS, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

PLATE-BENDING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1905.

Application filed .Tune 22, 1903. Serial No. 162,463.

To all whom,- L't may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR W. SUMMERS, of Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Plate-Bending Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speciiication, in which- Figure 1 is a partial front elevation of my improved bending-machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partly broken away. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views hereinafter referred to.

My invention relates to apparatus for bending one part of a plate at an angle to the other part; and it is designed to provide improved apparatus of this character which is adapted to bend long plates, in which the plate may be easily and quickly removed after bending, and bending or Hanging carried out to any desired angle; also, to provide amachine which can be extended or added to to make it of any desirable length according to the plate being treated; further, to provide for automatic stopping the bending operations when the desired angle is reached.

ln the drawings Ishow a machine having a frame made up of aseries of C-shaped yokes 2, which are preferably steel castings open on one side and tied together in series by an -beam 3, extending through the upper part of the opening. and by a channel-bar 1, which is preferably parallel with the I-beam. A fulcrurn-plate 5 is secured to the lower flanges of the beams 3 and 4, and its inner edge is turned off to the arc of a circle whose radius is the radius of the inner curve of the plate to be bent at the bend. Theinneriiange 6 of each yoke is curved on the arc of a circle with the same center as that on which the inner edge of the plate 5 is curved, and these inner ianges of the successive yokes form the guideways upon which rest and move the successive carrier-frames 7, on which the follower 8 is supported. Each of these carrier-frames has side anges 9, which are curved to correspond to the inner face of the iiange 6, and between these flanges is a downwardly-projecting web 10, which projects through a slotin the flange 6 between the webs 11 of the yoke. The web extension 10 is bolted to asegmental rack 12,

` having an extended bearing-surface 13, which fits against the under face of the flange 6 between the webs 11. This bearing-surface 13 extends for a part of the length of the rack, andthe outer teeth 14 of the rack engage a pinion 15, mounted in bearings on the back of the yoke and projecting througha slot in its rear face. The pinions 15 for the successive yokes are secured to a common shaft 16, which at a convenient point of its length, preferably near the center of the machine, has slow-motion-gearing connection 17 with an electric motor 18. This motor is provided with an ordinary electric brake device so arranged that when the power is cutoff the brake is thrown into action to stop further movement of the gearing.

In order to automatically stop the segmental rack when the plate is bent to the desired angle, I provide the rack with a series of holes 19, arranged to receive the bolt of aclarnp 20, which holds an adjustable trip 21. This trip consists of a projecting finger on the end of a thread ed rod 22, the clamp having teeth which engage the threads on this rod. By loosening the clamp and moving the rod the linger 21 may be adjusted to different points between the holes 19, and by shifting the clamp from one. hole to the next the linger may be further changed, so that it may be adjusted to any desired point'in the length of the rack. One of the webs 11 of the yoke containing the particular segmental rack carrying the trip is provided on one side with a boss 23, forming a bearing for a bell-crank lever, the lower short arm 241 of which carries a pin 25, projecting through one of the holes 26, formed in the web of the yoke. The longer arm 27 of the bell-crank is pivotally connected by a link 28 with the operating-handle 29 of an electric controller 80. This controller is suitably connected to the motor to control it, and in starting the bending operation the handle is thrown to the right, looking at Fig. 2, thus moving the pin 25 downwardly within the hole in the yoke. The current thus being thrown on, the motor drives the shaft 15 in the proper direction to move the follower 8 in a circular path around the edge of the plate 5. When the angle for which the machine was set is reached, the trip 21 will engage the pin 25, thus moving the bell-crank and bringing the lever 29 back to its neutral position, as shown. The current is thus cut off and the brake applied, stopping the follower at the desired point. The controllerhandle can now only be moved in the opposite direction, and when so moved the cur- Y cylinders.

rent to the motor is reversed and the segmental racks moved back to their' normal position. When they reach their normal position, as shown, a flange 31 at the Lipper end of the rack carrying the trip engages the pin 25 and drawsitdown until the controller-handle is again moved to its middle position, thus again stopping the motor.

The detail mechanism of the tripping device is shown in Fig. 4, while Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the segmental racks and the carriers 7. Fig. 6 is a broken detail View showing the adjustable tripping device.

To support and clamp the plate, I provide the separated tables 32 and clamps 33, these clamps extending continuously between the yokes, with a slight working space between the ends of the adjacent clamps at the central line of each yoke, as shown in Fig. l. Each clamp is supported upon the plungers 34 of two hydraulic cylinders 35, located underneath the clamp and near its ends. The cylinders for the series of clamps are connected by valved branches 35 to a hydraulic valve common to all, so that fluid maybe simultaneously admitted to or exhausted from these rlhe hydraulic cylinders for one or more of the clamps may be cut oif at the valves in the branch pipes in case a plate is being bent which is shorter than the length of the machine. By thus using separate clamps and disconnecting the power for some of them I economize in the power employed by cutting out the clamps which are not being used.

In order to move the supporting-tables 32 vertically in parallel lines when the clamps are actuated, I preferably connect them to the clamps and provide them with any suitable parallel-motion device. For this purpose I have shown tables as provided with two sets of links 36 and 37, which are pivoted together at their crossing-point 38. The lower end of the link 36 is pivoted to the base-framing at 39, while the inner end of the link 37 is pivoted to the table at 40. The outer ends of these links are beveled off to lit upon the lower face of the table and the upper faces of castings 41` secured to the base framing. These loose ends of the links are guided between suitable lifts or flanges forming the sides which retain them in position.

rlhe lower portions of the yokes are connected by pairs of channel-bars 42, between which the hydraulic cylinders are mounted, and the yokes rest upon suitable base-fraining 43.

In operating the machine the trip device is adjusted to give the proper angle of the bend. The table and clamps being in their lowered position, the plate is laid on the tables and slipped forward to the point where the bend is desired to be made. Motive iiuid then being admitted to the hydraulic cylinders, the clamps are simultaneously raised through the length of the plate, and the plate is thus clamped against the fulcrum-plate 5. During this action the table slides with the clamps,

.so that there is no tendency of the plate to slide or be dragged out of its position. When vthe plate is thus clamped, the controller-handle is thrown to the right, and the follower is thus moved around the edge of the fulcrumplate 5 until the inner projecting portion of the plate is bent upwardly to the desired angle. As this angle is reached the trip on one of the racks moves the controller-handle back to the inoperative position, the brake is applied, and the motion stops. The controllerhandle is then thrown in the opposite direction, when the follower will be returned to its normal position and automatically stopped at such position. The motive fluid is then exhausted from the clamping-cylinders, whose clamps and tables descend, leaving the bent plate free. The plate is then removed by pulling endwise through one end of the machine.

The advantages of my invention result from the ease of inserting the plate and removing it when bent. The machine is well adapted to handling plates which are too large for hand manipulation and require power to insert and remove them. The peculiar form of the machine, which is built up i-n sections in endwise alinement, enables it to be extended to suit any desired length of plate and lightens the construction, since the followers are made in separate sections, thus avoiding the use of one follower of the entire length of the plate. By setting one or more of the segmental racks ahead of the others the plate may be bent to dierent angles in different parts of its length. rlhe automatic stopping of the bending operation at the desired point prevents inaccurate bending and puts the machine beyond the control of the operator. The same is true of the return movement, the automatic stopping preventing accidents and injury to the machine.

, It will be noted that the controller-handle cannot be moved in the wrong direction to continue bending' of the plate after the desired angle is reached. 1t can then only be moved to reverse, and accidental bending of the plate too far is thus prevented. rlhe use of the separated yokes with connected beams gives a light and strong construction, and only those clamps may be used which are under the plate inserted.

Many variations may be made in the form and arrangement of the machine, the follower-carriers, the clam ps, the actuating mechanism, and the stop devices without departing from my invention.

I claim 1. A metal-bending machine having a bending-follower, a supportintermediate its length having' a guideyay at one side of its axis of movement, and mechanism for moving the support in a curved path around the fulcrumpoint u pon said guideway; substantially as described.

2. A metal-bending machine having a series of followers located in endwise alinement and supported at points intermediate of the length of the machine and at one side of the axis of movement, and mechanism for simultaneously moving said followers around the bending axis; substantially as described.

3.' A metal-bending machine having a plate v with a fulcrum edge, a series of followers located in endwise alinement and supported at points intermediate of the length of the machine and at one side of the axis of movement, a series of separate carriers therefor, and mechanism for simultaneously moving a plurality of the followers around the fulcrum edge to bend the metal; substantially as described.

4. A metal-bending machine having a series of sections arranged end to end, separate clamping mechanism for each section, each clamping mechanism being separately movable, and mechanism for simultaneously bending the plate throughout the different sections; substantially as described.

5. A metal-bending machine having a series of parallel yokes, beams supporting the yokes, a fulcrum-plate carried on the beams and having a fulcrum edge, a series of followers located in endwise alinement between the yokes and supported at points intermediate of the length of the machine at one side o f the axis of movement, and mechanism for simultaneously moving said followers around the fulcrum edge; substantially as described.

6. A metal-bending machine having a follower supported on a sliding carriage at points intermediate of the length of the follower, and mechanism for moving the carriage in the arc of a circle around the fulcrum-point of the machine; substantially as described.

7. A metal-bending' machine having a fulcrum-plate, a follower mounted on a sliding support intermediate of the length of the said follower, and a curved guideway for the support, said guid eway extending around and outside of the plate to be bent; substantially as described. Y

8. A metal-bending machine consisting of a series of sections in end wise alinement, each section having a follower carried on a sliding support, guideways for the supports extending around and outside of the plate at an intermediate point of its length, and mechanism for simultaneously moving a plurality of the supports; substantially as described.

9. A metal-bending machine having a series of separate bending-followers located end to end, and a common shaft having actuating gearing connections with each of the followers arranged to simultaneously move said followers in a curved path around the fulcrumpoint; substantially as described.

10. A plate-metal-bending machine having a fulcrum-plate secured to a plurality of openl sided yoles, a follower having a support intermediate of the length of the fulcrum-plate, mechanism for moving the follower around the fulcrum-plate, an automatic stop device arranged to stop further movement of the follower when the desired angle is reached; substantially as described.

- l1. A plate-metal-bending machine having a fulcrum-plate secured to a plurality of opensided yolies, a follower having a support intermediate of the length of the fulcrum-plate, mechanism for moving the follower around the fulcrum-plate, .an automatic stop device arranged to stop further movement of the follower when the desired angle is reached, and mechanism for adjusting the stop device to vary the angle to which the plate is bent; substantially as described.

l2. A plate-metal-bending machine having' a fulcrum-plate secured to a plurality of opensided yoles, a bending-follower supported intermediate of the length of the fulcrum-plate, mechanism for moving the follower in a curved path,mechanism for reversing the movement, and an automatic stop device arranged to stop the return movement when the follower reaches the normal inoperative position; substantially as described.

13. A plate-metal-bending machine having a series of yokes with open sides, a fixed fulcrum-plate supported within the yokes, `a follower, mechanism for moving the follower in a curved path, and automatic mechanism arranged to stop the movement at the desired point at both endsof its travel; substantially as described.

14. A plate-metal-bending machine having a series of yokes with open sides, aiixed fulcrum-plate su pported within the yokes, a follower, mechanism for moving the follower in a curved path, a handle arranged to control the power to drive the bending mechanism, and a stop device connected to the handle/and arranged to prevent movement of the handle to cause further movement of the bending-follower after the desired angle has been reached; substantially as described.

15. A plate-metal-bending machine having bending mechanism,actuating connections for said mechanism,a stop device arranged to stop the bending movement when the desired limit is reached, a controlling-handle movable in different directions to reverse the movement of the bending mechanism and a connection between the stop device and the controllinghandle arranged to prevent movement of the handle in one direction when the stop is operated; substantially as described.

16. A plate-metal-bending machinehaving bending mechanism, a stop device arranged to automatically stop the movement at both ends, a controlling-handle movable in different directions to reverse the movement of the bending mechanism and a connection between the stop device and the operating-handle arranged to prevent the operator from applying the power to move the bending mechanism in the wrong direction; substantially as described.

17. ln a plate-metal-bending machine, a series of separated yokes with open sides, a fixed fulcrum plate supported within the yokes, a follower, a carrier supporting the bending-follower. a curved guideway for the carrier, a curved rack connected with the carrier, a trip device on the rack,.and a stop connected with the operating-lever and arranged in the path of the trip on the rack; substantially as described.

18. A plate-metal-bending machine having' a series of separated yokes with open sides, a fulcrnm-plate supported within the yokes, a bending-follower mounted on a support, mechanism for moving the support in a curved path, a pair of trips on the support, at least one of the trips being' adjustable, and a stop device in the path of the trip and connected with the operating mechanism; substantially as described.

19. A metal-bending machine having a series of separated clamps arranged end to end and movable independently of each other, mechanism for simultaneously moving said clamps and means for bending the metal while held by the clamps; substantially as described.

20. A metal-bending machine having a series of separated clamps arranged end to end and movable independentlyT of each other, mechanism for simultaneously moving said clamps, mechanism for cutting one or more of the clamps out of action and means for bending the metal while held by the clamps; substantially as described.

21. Ametal-bendingmachinehavingamovable clamp, a table connected thereto, means for giving the table parallel motion during the movement of the clamp to clamping position and means for bending the metal while held by the clamps; substantially as described.

22. A metal-bending machine having a vertically-movable table,aclampingdevice,mechanism for'moving the table simultaneously toward and from the fulcrum-plate during the movement of the clamping device toward and from clamping position and means for bending the metal while held by the clamps; substantially as described.

23. A metal-bending machine having a series of sections in end wise alinement, each section having a table and clamps, and mechanism for simultaneously moving the tables and clamps of the successive sections toward and from the fulcrum-plate; substantially as described. v

24. A metal-bending machine having a se ries of sections in end wise alinement, each section having a table and clampsmechanism for simultaneously moving the tables and clamps of the successive sections toward and from the fulcrum-plate, and means for cutting out one or more ofthe tables and clamps; substantially as described.

25. A metal-bending machine having a hollow framework containing the fulcrum-plate and supporting it intermediate of its .length` and mechanism for simultaneously bending the plate throughout lits length, said framework being open at the ends to permit the bent plate to be slid out endwise; substantially as described.

26. A metal-bending machine having a hollow stationary framework containing a fulcrum-plate and supporting it intermediate of its length, and mechanism for simultaneously bending the plate throughout its length, said framework having at least one end open to allow withdrawal of the plate endwise; sub stantially as described.

27. A bending-machine comprising a series of C-shaped yokes open at one side, framing connecting the yokes, a fulcrum-plate extending through them and supported on the yokes intermediate of its length, and mechanism for simultaneously bending the plate around the fulcrum-plate, throughout its length; substantially as described.

28. A metal-bending machine having a series of separated clamps arranged end to end, separate motive cylinders for actuating each clamp, means for simultaneously admitting iiuid to said cylinders, valve devices arranged to cut out any or all of said cylinders and means for bending the metal while held by the clamps; substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set i my hand.

EDGAR W. SUMMERS.

Witnesses:

JOHN MILLER, H. M. CoRwIN. 

